Short Sweet Stories Of Hilo
A must read, 68-page, short story book of HILO LEGENDS, by Francis Reed.
Loved the book’s first article, “How Hilo Got Its Name.” Hilo or Hiro, the famous mythical navigator who sailed throughout the Pacific to discover other Polynesian islands. That Hilo who likely ranked high enough in the Polynesian/Hawaiian pantheon to be named after the first night of the all-important lunar month. But wait, says the article, Hilo also means to twist – done when braiding ti-leaves into rope. So, from that making is also a true episode about Kamehameha the Great.
There’s “The Hala`i Hills,” telling of the goddess Hina’s adventures at three remnant craters up slope of Hilo: Pu`uhonu, Ope`ape`a, and Hala`i – these days, mere, large hills. Did those large mounds once include pits that got covered over after centuries of natural weathering? Well, now their layered with middle-class houses.
In both stories and the others, well-known land marks are mentioned. So, there’s plenty of geography worth learning about in 16 easy-to-read stories, all for your certain pleasure.
Tags: Hawaiian Stories
